Coalition forces conducted an operation today in Baqouba, targeting an alleged associate of an improvised explosive device cell leader operating in the region and of an IED facilitator who was killed during an operation Feb. 8. Coalition forces killed two terrorists during the operation.

In Tarmiyah, three suspected terrorists were detained today while targeting an alleged leader of the terrorist network in the city, who is a close associate of an al Qaeda in Iraq senior leader in Baghdad’s northern belt. The network is responsible for car bombing and IED attacks in the area, as well as operations involving extortion, intimidation, weapons trafficking and facilitating foreign terrorists. During an operation southeast of Hawijah yesterday, coalition forces targeted an alleged leader of the al Qaeda in Iraq network in Kirkuk. Reports indicate the suspect is tied to numerous leaders within the network, including Abu Harith, a former leader of the network who was killed Nov. 21 for his role in facilitating terrorist attacks.

As the ground force arrived in the target area, they encountered two armed suspects. One man was carrying a machine gun, and one man who matched the description of the targeted terrorist was wearing a grenade belt. One of the men reached for his grenade belt and coalition forces engaged, killing both men. Once the area was secure, the ground force confirmed one of the men killed was the targeted terrorist.

Coalition forces detained an additional five suspects southwest of Samarra today while targeting associates connected to an al Qaeda in Iraq car-bomb factory in the area. Reports indicate the targeted individuals were involved in al Qaeda operations, including executions, and were close associates of a suspect detained yesterday for his involvement in weapons and IED facilitation.

In Iraq operations Feb. 11:

-- An Iraqi policeman and seven insurgents were killed during a small-arms attack in southern Ninevah province. Nearby homes were searched, and 16 individuals were detained by the Iraqi police for further questioning.

-- Iraqi security forces found a house rigged with at least 11 IEDs in the Rusafa security district of eastern Baghdad. Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, attached to 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, investigated the site and reported that Iraqi forces found the house, which was rigged with 10 IEDs in the courtyard and one at the front door. Explosive ordnance detachment personnel were dispatched and found two doors booby-trapped with wire, an anti-tank mine and three 57 mm rockets.

-- Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers targeting criminal elements detained 25 individuals during a series of coordinated operations in the Sabak Sur, a neighborhood in northeastern Baghdad. The operations were initiated from tips provided by local residents, said Army Maj. Trey Rutherford, executive officer for the 82nd Airborne Division’s 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, which conducted the operations.

Soldiers with the 101st Airborne Division’s Company A, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, detained the alleged cell leader during a raid. The cell leader is believed to have been involved in IED and small-arms attacks aimed at coalition and Iraqi security forces. The suspect was taken to a coalition forces detention facility for further questioning.

Also Feb. 10, Iraqi security forces with the 11th Iraqi Army Division’s 2nd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, rescued an Iraqi woman following a kidnapping in the Karkh district of western Baghdad. After receiving a tip, the Iraqi army soldiers were able to locate the kidnappers and rescue the woman. The two men allegedly responsible for the kidnapping were arrested and taken into custody.